The AirPod Pro’s are an awesome pair of headphones. For me, they quickly became close friends. The AirPods have awesome sound quality, and the built quality is great too: it’s a heavy duty device that can even resist water and sweat. However, they are not dirt-proof! After some weeks or months of use, you will notice the once white AirPods have changed into a dirt and earwax magnet. It’s time to clean them with my proven method to remove all the dirt from an AirPod Pro.

How to clean the AirPods Pro

Removing dirt from the AirPods Pro is not very complicated in itself, but you can’t just use any method to clean them. Some products can damage the AirPods, so it’s always a good idea to first read what are proven methods to clean them.

First method: Removing light stains from the AirPods

If your pair of AirPods is somewhat dirty (e.g. shampoo, perfum, wax), the first method is likely going to be very effective.

• First, it is very important to mention that the AirPods may be water resistant, they are certainly not waterproof. So don’t push them in your dishwasher, run them under water, …
• Take a clean cloth and make it slightly wet.
• Wipe the AirPods clean with the wet cloth.
• Then, make sure they are dry: take another (dry) cloth and wipe dry.

The built-in microphone and the speakers can be cleaned with a cotton swab. Be gentle when cleaning so that you don’t damage the AirPods. Certainly do not use a toothpick to clean the AirPods.

The ear tips (those removable rubber things) can also be cleaned. Never use detergent / soap to clean the ear tips because this can damage them. To remove any dirt from the ear tips, your only option is to clean them with water and rub with your fingers over the dirt that sticks. For stubborn dirt (earwax), you can also use warm water (don’t use boiling water).

Second method: Remove stubborn dirt

If you have tried the first method (which is the official Apple recommended method as listed on your website), but you still face stubborn dirt, you may want to try the second method.

Use a soft-bristled brush to clean any remaining dirt. A (wooden) toothpick should not be used as it can be too aggressive and damage your device.

Another option is to use Fun-Tak mounting putty: a reusable, repositionable adhesive. Take a small bit of the Fun-Tak and warm it up in your hands. Then, press it on the AirPods (where the dirt is), and the dirt (such as the wax) should picked up easily.